News

Canada is a Application Centres to open around the world

Visa Application Centres to open around the world to assist travellers coming to Canada

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he Government of Canada is pleased to announce the winning supplier for the VAC contract: VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd.
On behalf of IRCC, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) awarded this contract through a fair, open and transparent process. The initial value of this contract is estimated at $26 M.
Canada uses a network of Visa Application Centres around the world, where each year, hundreds of thousands of people submit their applications and, if required, provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) to come to Canada.
Since 2000, VACs have helped provide administrative support to visa applicants before, during and after their application is assessed at a Canadian visa office.

Canada is expanding the network of Visa Application Centres over the next two years. By November 2019, there will be at least 149 VAC locations in 99 countries.
VACs are managed by third-party service providers. These companies are authorized to provide specific services to visa applicants under the terms of a formal contract with the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
VACs allow for a higher level of points of service in countries where there are few or no visa offices. VACs also ensure that visa applications are completed properly, reducing the number of incomplete applications that must be returned to the applicant.
Canada has one of the most extensive VAC networks in the world—more than 96% of applicants will be able to access a Visa Application Centre in their country of residence by November 2019.